How to select the best colour frames for your eyewear
If you are someone who needs to wear eyeglasses daily, then it’s a very important accessory to get right, when it comes to selecting the correct coloured frames. Essentially, wearing glasses on your face is akin to wearing jewellery; you can either opt to make a statement, or keep things fairly simple and subdued, depending upon your personality and lifestyle. Remember your face is the communication centre, so this is where we want people to look. Get the colour of your eyewear right and they’ll want to listen to everything you’ve got to say. Getting it wrong means people will be distracted and stop listening to you which is not ideal, particularly if you are in a position of authority, conduct regular meetings with clients, address the public at events, or interact with people professionally/socially on a daily basis. Colour has a very powerful psychological influence and not only do you need to feel comfortable wearing a particular colour, but you need to consider the impression you make on others.
We’ve all experienced that situation when we’re wearing something that doesn’t FEEL right. When we don’t quite feel like ourselves, we don’t feel comfortable with the way that we look. What we are wearing doesn’t feel authentic, and our image confidence can be affected. To break this down in simple terms, there are two significant options when it comes to choosing the best coloured frames for your face: either wear a colour that blends (enhances) your natural features, or select one that stands out (intensifies) those features. Both options should harmonise with your colouring overall (your undertone and overtone) however, the colour that intensifies your features will be more emphatic and this is where your personality comes into play. It needs to resonate with your personal style. For example, if you prefer classic, natural styles of clothes and neutral tones, you probably aren’t going to turn up to work in a neon coloured jumpsuit and the converse is also true. If you love being creative and expressing yourself boldly, perhaps enjoy being the centre of attention, you might happily wear that neon jumpsuit to work, paired with a purple check blazer and orange stilettos! My number one tip when it comes to the colour of your eyewear is to wear colours that express who you are!
How to know the difference between your best enhancing and intensifying colours?
Eye enhancing colours are those that are the same or very similar to the colours in your eyes, hair or skin. When we wear colour(s) that repeat those colours already naturally occurring in us, it not only enhances our features because it links them, it creates a wonderful harmonious impression. ‘Eyes are the windows to your soul’ and therefore, identifying your eye colour(s) is one of the best ways to go about choosing a great frame colour. Have a really close look at your eyes and you may be surprised that there are several different colours evident, especially within the iris and close to the pupil. These colours will work beautifully to enhance your eyes and those naturally occurring colours within you. The trick is understanding whether the colours you are seeing are warm, or cool, clear or muted, or light and dark. This is where a personal colour analysis with a certified colour consultant is invaluable. However, identifying your eye colour is only one piece of the puzzle, because even if you have obviously warm brown eyes, for example, your skin tone may be cool. Therefore , an option would be to choose a more neutral coloured frame, rather than a very warm one, not suited to your skin tone. Your hair colour also plays an integral part in creating visual harmony. Personally, I think darker frames look better on those people with darker coloured hair; black frames on a light skinned, light haired individual can look overpowering and the glasses become the main focal point, not the person’s eyes. Again, it depends upon your personality and the look you wish to achieve.
Eye intensifying colours are those colours opposite on the colour wheel to the ones possessed by you either in your eyes, skin or hair. These colours are known as complementary colours and they create a heightened level of contrast against your naturally occurring colours. This creates a more ‘intense’ and ‘wow’ look. For example, if you have bright blue eyes but a warm undertone, select a bright orange red frame as your intensifier colour (red-orange is opposite to blue) and this will really make your eyes pop. The same effect will be created with green eyes. In other words, wearing a colour opposite to your natural colouring will amplify your best features, and make a statement. If you are a mood dresser and the budget permits, mix up your options with a couple of different coloured frames – an enhancing neutral coloured frame, and one that is more vibrant and daring in an eye-intensifying colour.
Colour profoundly impacts the way we look, feel, react and are perceived by others. From my experience, many of my clients have a favourite colour they really like or feel comfortable wearing and not only does the colour suit their natural colouring, but it often relates to their personality. What’s lovely about exploring all the colours that look amazing on you is the opportunity to reconnect with who you are. As we journey through life and experience all the changes that come with it, colour can be used as a way of distinguishing oneself from another and truly embracing one’s unique beauty.
Here are some examples of eye-enhancing and eye-intensifying colours in relation to different eye colours and skin tones.
